Orionids meteor shower 2024: How to see it
The Orionids meteor shower is one of the most popular annual meteor showers, with up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak. The shower is caused by debris from Halley’s Comet, which streaks across the sky at a speed of 41 miles per second. This year, the peak will be on the night of 21 October and early hours of 22 October. You can expect to see more than 20 shooting stars an hour during its peak but they could be visible for a week or two before and after.
When is the best time to watch the Orionids?
The Orionids are active from 2 October to 7 November but peak between the night of 21 October and the early hours of 22 October 2024. To maximise your chance of seeing shooting stars, find somewhere with little light pollution and allow your eyes to adjust for 20 to 30 minutes before gazing at the sky.
Where to watch the Orionids meteor shower
You do not need special equipment to watch the meteor shower. It is possible to catch shooting stars by simply finding a place with dark skies and lie down with your feet facing south, ideally at around midnight.
According to NASA, “the meteor shower radiates from the constellation Orion”. However, to be able to see it, NASA explains you should watch it, “from somewhere dark and look up towards the north-eastern sky.
Tips for seeing the Orionids
The following tips from the International Meteor Organization may improve your viewing experience.
- Give your eyes plenty of time to adjust to the dark – at least 20 to 30 minutes.
- Avoid using a mobile phone.
- Stay out until dawn, if you can. Some of the best meteors come after midnight. You could even spend all night watching for a true spectacle.
Some scientists suggest you’ll have to stay out past midnight if you wish to see the meteor shower this year. You should see the constellation Orion, whose head is marked by the bright star Betelgeuse, but you won’t see any “shooting stars” directly near this. The peak time for Orionid meteor showers is actually shortly after midnight, so it is advisable to lie down on your back and look towards the radiant, around the constellation Orion.
